Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Bacon and Chips
The Increase of Tech and the End of Anonymity
Powerful facial-recognition software can shred privacy with one photo. New technology heralds the end of anonymity. Theologians and even scientists like Isaac Newton and Francis Bacon taught that increased technology pointed to the end of days. Billionaire businessman and tech pacesetter Elon Musk said last week the odds of the human experience being “base reality” were a billion to one. In other words, he believes human beings live in a computer simulation. Brilliant minds inside and outside the faith community increasingly grapple with the exponential increase of technology and its effects on our lives. From Bacon’s Instauratio Magna, where ships of learning were depicted passing by the limits of human knowledge, to Tofler’s Future Shock, exponential (tetration, anyone?) and unparalleled change is the new norm. This changes everything. read more…
The First M&M s
The First M&M s Lectionary 12 June 2016 4th Sunday After Pentecost 1 Kings 21:1-21a Psalm 5:1-8 Galatians 2:15-21 Luke 7:36-8:3 Text to Life Everyone goes through phases. Every now and again, interior designers like to go in for the clean, pure, “all white” look. Have you ever stepped into…
Wise Farmer
A Kentucky lawyer and a Kentucky farmer have a head-on collision on a country road. No one is badly hurt, but both men are shaken. The farmer goes to his car and brings out a flask of bourbon and offers it to the lawyer. “You look like you need a…
The Healer
The Healer Story Lectionary 12 June 2016 Joseph’s Vision and Persecution by His Brothers (Genesis 37) The People Challenge Moses and Aaron and Joshua and Threaten to Stone Them (Numbers 14) God’s Spirit Comes Upon Samson Despite Those Who Would Foil Him (Judges 13-16) The Spirit of God Comes Upon…
Primal Metaphors –preaching tip for 12 June 2016
Primal metaphors in scripture are those that begin in Genesis and weave like threads all throughout scripture. Metaphors such as light, darkness, water, breath are all “primal metaphors.” You can tell the Story of Scripture and of Jesus using any one of them –a good exercise for you, and for…
Pastor’s Prayer –12 June 2016
May you walk with God this summer in whatever you do
Wherever you go walking with God means…
Walking with honesty and with courage,
Walking with love and respect and concern for the feelings of others.
May you talk to God this summer and every day and in every situation.
Talking with God means…
Praying words of praise for the beauty of creation
Saying prayers of thanks for friends and good times,
Asking God’s help in all your decisions
Expressing sorrow when you have failed.
May you talk with God every day.
Amen.
– Author unknown
Renaissance
Renaissance:
The Power of the Gospel However Dark the Times
by Os Guinness
Reading Renaissance: The Power of the Gospel However Dark the Times (2014, InterVarsity Press), by author and social critic Os Guinness, is like eating a chili pepper-laced chocolate bar. There is nothing distinctive about the appearance of a peppery chocolate bar, but when you bite into one, your mouth fills with deep, rich chocolate flavor followed quickly by the spicy-hot taste of chili peppers. If you are not expecting it, the heat can be quite a surprise, but it is also very delicious. Reading Renaissance is like that; it is a full-bodied and satisfying experience which offers more within its pages than the reader expects. Written to help Christians decipher what is happening in the church in the present age, Guinness has filled Renaissance with encouragement, praise, rebuke, wise insight, historically significant perspectives and forward-thinking ideas. Composed in the well-reasoned and erudite style that is the hallmark of Os Guinness’ writing, Renaissance is a thought-provoking book, and it has enough fire in it to keep the reader aware that this book is meant not only to comfort but also to challenge and prod today’s Christians. read more…
Predictions for the Future
Hardwired for Tranquility
This is a subject I often address: The biblical story begins and end in a garden. Asphalt doesn’t inspire. Nor do windowless buildings. Food for thought: Incorporating or building into and around nature in our environments begins a connection with our Creator before the words even begin.
You Will Marry the “Wrong” Person
Helpful when counseling, speaking or writing to those who are burdened by the heavy weight of romance as be all and end all. In other words, absolutely all of us who are entering or navigating relationships. read more…
The Ruts of the Everyday
My dog, Sally, takes the lead most mornings. She bounds down the three flights of stairs to freedom. Usually I let her begin the walk off-leash, so when she gets to the bottom, she gets to choose which way to go. Her favourite direction is toward the park (no-brainer), because that direction includes both a romp in the thick grass, but also, the possibility of the adventure-walk (down the big hill and through the fields). Sadly, most days, the morning walk is perfunctory – I am pressed for time, and so we take the “usual” walk through the neighbourhood, no park and no adventure.
The predictable path of our morning walk is a rut, and I am becoming as bored of it as I imagine Sally already is. Today, the walk became a metaphor of all of the ruts and routines that govern my life. At the core, I am an adventurer – an explorer. But, I am also very much reliant on routines, as we all are. Structure helps us function in the world, providing hooks on which we can hang our necessary tasks and tools, freeing up space for attention to the unexpected or unusual. read more…
Inside Outside
Inside Outside Lectionary 5 June 2015 3rd Sunday After Pentecost 1 Kings 17:8-16 (17-24) Psalm 146 Galatians 1:11-24 Luke 7:11-17 Text to Life We are officially into “summer.” The solstice is not until June 18, but Memorial Day weekend is past. So summer is here. Or in the words of…